Title: Bigsby Medal in silver

Description: In 1877 Dr John Jeremiah Bigsby (1792-1881), gave to the Society a sum of £200, the interest of which was to be devoted to providing a medal to be given biennially to a student of American geology. Bigsby was a pioneer of geology in Canada, much of which undertaken whilst serving as a British Army surgeon and later as medical officer to Boundary Commissioners under the Treaty of Ghent.

Obverse: Portrait of John Jeremiah Bigsby

Reverse: A representation of a fossil echinoderm from the Trenton Limestone (Ordovician) around it, ‘Agelacrinites Dicksoni. Found 1822. Canada.’ The fossil was the first known example of an Edrioasteroid, found by John Jeremiah Bigsby at the Chaudière Falls, Ottawa River, Canada, 1822.

The medal was first awarded in 1877 to Professor Othniel Charles Marsh.

Format: Photograph

Image reference: 01-26

Recommended print size: Up to 16 x 12 inches (40 x 30cm)